Years & Years Hypnotize at the Wiltern in Los Angeles

The sophomore slump has become more and more apparent in the day and age of streaming. With the constant flow of new music and endless playlists, it’s even harder for artists to push through the noise and keep themselves relevant with each release.

Years & Years has been fighting for their place in the Brit alt-pop scene and they’ve been winning. After the release of their debut album, Communion, lead singer Olly Alexander has been championing for the LGBTQ+ community and has done so in a way that has impacted how Years & Years makes music without it completely taking over. Now with their second record, Palo Santo, Alexander has only gotten better and more confident in his own skin as a performer which not only enhances the new songs but breathes a whole new life into their older tracks.

Though their set at the Wiltern in Los Angeles on Thursday (October 25) night only last a little over an hour, the community Years & Years built within that room clearly has a last effect of empowerment, positivity, and strength; something that Alexander has proudly taken ownership of both on and off stage.

Near the end of the show, Alexander commented on the recent remarks that have threatened the transgender community in the US. “Trans people are the reason we are here today,” he said about the support and fanbase that helped catapult Years & Years into the mainstream. He also pointed out his own privilege as a white gay man and how he, and other likes him, need to use their platform to help elevate those who don’t have the same advantages they do.

Between the great tunes and inspiring message, there is no better place to be than a Years & Years show and we’ll be damned if we let anyone take that away from us.